cow path
Livestock-worn route
A cow path is a trail worn into the ground by cattle walking the same route repeatedly, typically narrow and winding rather than direct.
The term extends to any informal path created by habitual use rather than planning.
In software and urban design, cow path describes inefficient legacy systems or routes that persist because that's how it's always been done.
To pave the cow paths is to formalize existing patterns rather than redesign from scratch.
- trailPath through wilderness
- pastureGrazing ground for livestock
- meadowGrassy field for grazing
- grazing landField for livestock feeding
- hoofHorny foot covering
worn · beaten · beaten track · winding · grass · fence · gate · farm · dirt · muddy · farm road · country lane · grazing · field · shortcut · meander · livestock · rural
- hiking trailsmountain trails, trailhead, trail sign, beach trail, trail map
- roadshighway, highways, road, freeway, roads
cow pathhighway
Major road for travel
superhighway · interstate · paved road · expressway · freeway
cow, path, cows, cowed, cowing, cowherd, cowboy, cowgirl, paths